First Microsoft Store within Best Buy to open tomorrow in Los Angeles

If you weren’t already aware, it was announced back in early June that Microsoft would be opening Windows Stores within Best Buy locations. The new movement will reach 500 Best Buy locations across the United States and 100 other locations in Canada. You will begin to see the launch yourself throughout August and September of this year.

The first Windows Store at Best Buy will be opening tomorrow, August 7th, at the West Los Angeles Best Buy Store. The first 200 customers who demo Windows 8 devices at the store will receive a wristband for a chance to meet Clint Mathis and Mauricio Cienfuegos (I don’t watch sports, don’t ask me who they are) along with two tickets to an upcoming LA Galaxy game and a signed soccer ball.

In addition, Major League Soccer will be on hand to hang out and show users how to live a healthier lifestyle using Windows 8 apps including Daily Workouts, Fitbit, Endomondo, MyPlate, BallStrike and MLS MatchDay. If you are lucky, you will even be able to take place in soccer drills in the parking lot.

For more information on the event, check Best Buy’s West LA website by clicking here.

What do you think about Microsoft’s plan to move into Best Buy stores?

My old Alma mater, VHS! Yeah, Venice is bad. Even what used to be a smaller street, Palms is turning into quite the clogged artery itself. Is that bacon avocado burger place still there on Venice and Sepulveda? Forgot the name. Howard's?

My local BB, from which I purchased the Surface Pro just yesterday, has this setup already. It looks really nice. The sales guy said some outside vendor is doing this at all the stores, one at a time. He assumed they were contracted out from M$. And for the first time, there is a small kiosk featuring the Pro and RT right inside the front door, which was refreshing to see. Prior to that the Surface tablets were in the very back of the store, at the end of the isle and lonely.

What is "M$"? Are you using some ignorant slang for Microsoft? It's not cute... Is the "s" button on your keyboard broken? If you want to abbreviate, please don't say "M$" don't even say "MS." It's MSFT.

The LA store is NOT the first Best Buy to open a Microsoft Store inside. I'm in Minnesota and for the past 6 weeks we have already had two of these. Maple Grove, MN Best Buy and Minnetonka, MN stores have had these full Microsoft stores since late June. Perhaps it's because Minnesota is the HQ of Best Buy and they were the pilot stores. Though I felt like I should correct the statement that the LA store was the "First" one....

Meh, I rather Microsoft spent more money building their own store. The top 100 populated cities in the US, should have a Microsoft store though. Besides, MSFT store within Best Buy is just tacky IMO. I can't believe Microsoft stooped this low..

Samsung and Apple did the exact same thing. By leasing out square footage to these companies, Best Buy generates more revenue from each store, thus helping them stay solvent a little while longer. Each store area employs their own people and are responsible for their own displays, setups, and devices. Pretty good idea by Best Buy and allows MSFT to more quickly expose Windows 8 devices without having to build an entire store...

I think MS should have done this sooner (well, they should have developed their mobile and tablet strategies faster, then integrated them with the desktop and xbox faster, and THEN opened mini-stores in Best Buy). With Apple and Samsung already having a dedicated in-store presence MS doesn't really have a choice. I hope Xbox is included here (in addition to the gaming section).

Both of these things will happen.
Windows and Best Buy will go down together.
People will walk into the Windows store and the rep will say, "If you really want great products (did I mention cheap), why dont you step over here to the Samsung Galaxy store".

I don't get it.
Isn't the Best Buy computer section already essentially a 'Microsoft Store'?
What's the point? Still, Best Buy isa quickly fading retailer, a la Circuit City. I don't think they'll be around in under two years time.